“In-do-nes-ia”! Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap. “In-do-nes-ia”! Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap. That was the chant at the Indonesian Badminton Open. That’s right, I have finally found a place in the world who loves badminton and they don’t just play it recreationally like I have always loved to in the states, they play it for real –it’s their most popular sport.
A few of us bought “VIP” tickets and spent the better part of the day watching a tiny court in the middle of this big arena where men and women all over Asia (and Poland of all places) competed in the doubles and singles finals. I had so much fun. All the screaming and the chants; watching these really intense athletes smash this tiny shuttlecock. Watching the winner fall to his knees Roger Federer-style with just as much emotion and happiness as I had ever seen in a champion. But isn’t it just badminton? Well, yes, yes it is but when you see people that into it, cheering, clapping, riding the emotional rollercoaster any sporting event takes you on, it becomes hard to resist joining in on the fun. I mean they could have been throwing sea urchins back in forth while jumping on one leg and singing Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” in Dutch but hey, if people were cheering and in to it and that was the cultural thing to do then you can count on me being right there next to them chanting “Al-e-jan-dro”! Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap. I digress.
This experience for sure has reinforced my thoughts on world sport. From playing tennis, soccer, and water polo to watching rugby, AFL, the World Cup, the French Open –all overseas- I have definitely formed a higher respect for the power of friendly competition and the unity of fan-hood.
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